Explosively operated wedge type electrical connector



June 21, 1966 w. F. BROSKE 3,25

EXPLOSIVELY OPERATED WEDGE TYPE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed March 29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z INVENTOR.

qo \mmm F. Baum:

June 21, 1966 w. F. BROSKE 3,257,499

EXPLOSIVELY OPERATED WEDGE TYPE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed March 29, 1962 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Wuunm. F. EJROSKE 3,257,499 EXPLOSIVELY OPERATED WEDGE TYPE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR William F. Broske, Camp Hill, Pa., assignor to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. Filed Mar. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 183,648 3 Claims. (Cl. 174-94) In the art of applying electrical connectors to conductors, it is frequently desirable that the connector be applied to the conductor in such a manner as to effect a secure connection without the necessity of heavy or complex application tooling, or tooling requiring a separate source of power. 7

It is an object of this invention to provide an electrical connector capable of being applied by an explosive charge.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an explosively-actuated, electrical connector ofthe wedge-type wherein the propellant means is contained in the connector.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a wedgetype, electrical connector having a propelling means in the wedge and the provision of a simple device for detonating the propelling means.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector made according to the teaching of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the connector in assembled position;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 4, illustrating an electrical connector disclosed in a detonating device prior to the firing of the device;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 taken along section4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a tool for detonating the connector;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken through plane 6-6 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 illustrating the device in fired condition; and

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken through plane s-s of FIGURE 7.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the connector comprises a C-shaped shell, generally designated 18, having a pair of arcuate members 12 and 14. These surfaces taper from a large end 16 to a smaller end 18 (note FIGURE 3). The connecting portion 20 joins the arcuate members 12 and 14 to form the C-shaped shell.

A wedge-shaped member22 has opposed arcuate surfaces 24 and 26. These surfaces cooperate with the surfaces 12 and 14, respectively, to receive one of a pair of conductors C and C.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the wedge 22 tapers from the large end 28 to the small end 30. The large end 28 matches the large end 16 of the shell, and the small end 30 matches the small end 18 of the shell.

Also, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the wedge 22 has an aperture 32 in the large end thereof which extends I United States Patent 0 "ice longitudinally into the body of the wedge. The inner end of the aperture 32 contains a quantity of propellant 34 which is retained in place by a plug 36. A primer 38 is seated in the plug and communicates with propellant 34 whereby detonation of the primer 38 ignites propellant 34.

The device for detonating the wedge is illustrated in FIGURE 5, and comprises a body member 40 with a connector-retaining post 42 projecting from one end thereof. The other end contains a barrel member 44 adapted to receive and guide a firing pin 46. The member 44 is slotted at 48 to retain the firing pin therein.

The firing pin has a head 50 on one end thereof (FIG- URE 7) and a flange 52 intermediate its end. The underside 54 of the flange 52 is flattened to match the planar surface 56 on the body member 40. The post 42 has a lip 58 extending inwardly from its upper side to form an overhanging portion to accommodate the connector in the tool (see FIGURE 4). A pivoted buckle 60 may be fastened to the body member to permit the operator to suspend the tool from his belt when not in use.

Operali0n.When it is desired to secure a pair of conductors C, C, together in electrical relationship, the conductors are inserted in the arcuate portions 12 and 14 of the shell 10. The wedge 22 is placed between the conductors C and C", and the assembly is placed in the tool with one side of the wedge 22 adjacent the planar member 56 on the upper surface of the tool. The lip 58 retains the connector in the tool and the firing pin 46 is inserted into the slot 48 with the free end of the firing pin projecting into the aperture 32 in the wedge 22.

The head 50 of the firing pin 46 is struck a sharp blow (e.g., with a hammer or pair of pliers) so that the free end of the firing pin strikes the primer 38. Detonation of the primer ignites the propellant 34, and the energy generated by the explosive gases causes the wedge to travel toward the projection 42, thus tightly compressing the conductors C and C between, the wedge and the shell. It is noted that the flange 52 bearing against the tubular member 44 precludes the wedge from traveling in the opposite direction and prevents the plug 36 from being expelled from the aperture 32.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art and various apparently different modifications and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective against the prior art.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a connector for securing electrical conductors together, including a body member, tapered surfaces in said body member, a wedge mem ber adapted to fit into said body member between the tapered surfaces, tapered surfaces on said Wedge member which match the tapered surfaces in the body member, said tapered surfaces on the body member and wedge member adapted to secure an electrical conductor therebetween, and propellant means disposed within an aperture in said wedge member for driving said wedge member into conductor-securing relationship with said body member upon ignition thereof.

2. As an article of manufacture, a device adapted to be secured to one or more electrical conductors, including a body member having an opening therein, a wedge member having tapered surfaces adapted to fit into said opening, surfaces in the opening complementary with the tapered surfaces on the wedge member, said surfaces on the wedge member and in the body member being coher, surfaces in said body member, a wedge member I adapted to fit into said body member between the surfaces, surfaces on said Wedge member which match the surfaces in the body member, said surfaces on :the body 4 member and wedge member adapted to secure an electrical conductor therebetween, and propellant means disposed within an aperture in said wedge member for longitudinally driving said wedge member into conductor-securing relationship with said body member upon ignition thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,286,381 12/1918 Mead 238-14.13 2,141,098 12/1938 Wahlstrom. v 2,774,133 12/1956 Sitz 29-254 2,778,098 1/1957 Jamieson et a1. 29-254 2,909,758 10/1958 Modrey 339-275 X 2,956,108 10/1960 Brenner 17494 3,009,987 11/1961 Brenner 174-94 FOREIGN PATENTS 229,559 7/1960 Australia.

ROBERT SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. JOHN P. WILDMAN, DARRELL L. CLAY, Examiners. 

1. AS AN ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE, A CONNECTOR FOR SECURING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS TOGETHER, INCLUDING A BODY MEMBER, TAPERED SURFACES IN SAID BODY MEMBER, A WEDGE MEMBER ADAPTED TO FIT INTO SAID BODY MEMBER BETWEEN THE TAPERED SURFACES, TAPERED SURFACES ON SAID WEDGE MEMBER WHICH MATCH THE TAPERED SURFACES IN THE BODY MEMBER, SAID TAPERED SURFACES ON THE BODY MEMBER AND WEDGE MEMBER ADAPTED TO SECURE AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR THEREBETWEEN, AND PROPALLENT MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN AN APER- 